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Parents and union cite rodent infestation, staffing gaps and safety concerns at Natomas schools during public comment
Summary
Multiple public commenters and the teachers’ union raised serious concerns about special‑education classroom conditions, long‑standing vacancies in SDC/ILS programs, and incidents of on‑campus violence and inconsistent administrative responses; union leaders praised a facilities staffer's response but urged systemic fixes.
Several speakers used the board’s public‑comment period to describe ongoing problems in special education programs and to call for quicker, systemic district responses.
Antje (NTA) recounted conversations with an ILS special‑education teacher at Inderkum High who had repeatedly requested essential appliances and classroom resources and described a rodent infestation. "One of our SDC ILS special education teachers at Inderkum High School has repeatedly asked for specific resources... Last week there was a major rodent infestation in her classroom. There was rat feces on the counters and the walls had been literally eaten by the rats," Antje said, and praised staffer Doug Orr for responding quickly when she escalated the complaint.
Parent speakers gave specific accounts. Sachiko Kanatsu criticized the district response and said the district has preferred paying attorneys over providing services to students. Jennifer Souza described her daughter’s long‑open vacancy for a permanent special‑education teacher and urged the board to prioritize recruitment and working conditions: "The lack of stable and qualified teachers in special education affects not only my child today, but her long term outcomes." Brett Andrew and Anisha Johnson also described safety incidents and reported frustrations securing corrective action from site administrators.
President Grant said he would make himself available after the meeting to receive details and encouraged speakers to follow posted public‑comment procedures.
The public comments drew trustee expressions of concern; board members thanked speakers and directed staff to follow up with site administrators and facilities and to report back.
